The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered alleged payroll fraud involving government workers who reportedly placed relatives on the public payroll.
ICPC Chairman, Musa Aliyu, revealed that one official allegedly registered 14 family members as government employees, while another person was found to have enrolled his wife, children and other relatives and received 13 salaries.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Aliyu said the commission had identified about 900 suspected ghost workers following a year-long investigation into irregularities in government payroll systems.
He explained that investigators discovered cases where names and email addresses appeared on payroll records, while the corresponding bank accounts belonged to other individuals.
Aliyu also warned that ghost-worker schemes could create fraudulent claims for pensions, mortgages, housing benefits and health insurance.
The ICPC chairman disclosed that the commission recovered more than N24 billion in ghost pension funds in 2024, stressing that preventing the loss of public funds remains a major priority.
He said the commission was increasingly using preventive measures and technology to detect financial irregularities rather than relying solely on prosecution.
Aliyu called for stronger data systems and better verification processes to close loopholes in government payrolls and ensure public funds reach their intended beneficiaries.
